to view Short Range Transit Plan FY 2007/2008 - Tri Delta Transit

Eligibility ProcessThe ADA-eligible certification process incorporates an explanation ofhow the applicants’ disability limits their ability to use regular busservice completed by a medical professional, and if necessary, afunctional assessment conducted by Tri Delta Transit’s AccessibleServices Manager. The functional assessment was introduced to helpmanage demand. An applicant may still qualify for Non-ADA eligibility,and be able to use the more limited Non-ADA Dial-a-Ride service ifdenied ADA service for any reason.Approximately 2,000 persons are registered to use the Dial-a-Ridesystem, including 1,700 ADA-eligible registrants and 300 non-ADAEligible registrants (mostly seniors). Five hundred registrants use awheelchair or scooter (25% of the total registrants). The registrationdatabase is updated regularly. All registrants must re-apply everythree years. Tri Delta Transit utilizes an “Integrated Voice Response”(IVR) telephone system that automatically dials and notifies customersone month prior to expiration of their eligibility.Dial-A-Ride OperationsDriver duties include assisting Dial-a-Ride passengers on and off thebus, securing wheelchairs, escorting passengers to-and-from the frontdoor at the point of trip origin or destination, and assisting riders withreasonably-sized parcels and no more than three trips between the busand a patron’s door. A maximum of 16 buses are used for Dial-A-Rideservice at any one time.Dial-a-Ride allows for a 30-minute “window” for each pickup and dropoff,e.g., a bus can arrive up to 15 minutes before or 15 minutes afterthe confirmed pick up time.The IVR system automatically notifies customers via telephone 15minutes prior to the projected actual bus arrival time based on “realtime” operations processes. Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) andAutomatic Vehicle Location (AVL) equipment have been installed oneach Dial-A-Ride vehicle. Maximum onboard travel times are scheduledto be less than one hour.Passengers must meet the Dial-a-Ride driver within three minutes ofarrival during the 30-minute window, or risk becoming a “no show.” Ifa passenger must cancel an already-scheduled trip, ECCTA requeststhat they do so at least one day in advance. Trips cancelled less thanan hour before a scheduled pickup time is recorded as a “no show.”Service may be suspended for one month if a rider is a “no show” morethan 3 times in 6 months.Approximately 50% of Dial-A-Ride trips are scheduled through asubscription request. These trips are initially booked as a recurringseries and only revised as needed. The ADA allows the assignment oftrips within a two hour window – up to 60 minutes before or after theoriginally requested pick up or drop off time. With the exception ofsubscription or standing orders, trips can be booked from one to threedays in advance. Same day bookings are accepted on a space availablebasis.18